Spectacle or eyeglass case.



ITLUeFI-L OK: C(MUTQ Us.

Patented July 22, 1902.

C M WELLS SPEGTACLE 0R EYEGLASS CASE Application filed Jan. 16; 1902 (in Model.)

iii 711425665 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OHANNIN G M. WELLS, OF'SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

SIPECTACLE OR EYEGLASS CASE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart Of Letters Patent NO. 705,502, dated July 22, 1 902. Application filed January 16, 1902. Serial No. 89,982 (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, OHANNING M. WELLs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Southbridge, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spectacle or Eyeglass Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to spectacle or eyeglass cases,and more particularly to that class of cases in which there is a rigid body portion, preferably made of sheet-metahand ha"- ing an, opening therein on its front side and a flap or cover hinged at one edge to the body portion and adapted to extend over the opening in the body portion to close the same.

The object of my invention is to improve upon the construction of the cases above referred to as now ordinarily made and to provide an improved case for spectacles or eyeglasses of simple and inexpensive construction; and my invention consists in certain novel features of construction of my case, as will be hereinafter fully described.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front .view of a spectacle or eyeglass case embodying my improvements with the flap closed. Fig. 2 is an end view of the case shown in Fig. 1 looking in the direction of arrow a, same figure. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of arrow at, same figure. Fig. 4 corresponds to Fig. 1, but shows the flap or cover open. Fig. 5 is a vertical section online 5 5, Fig. 4, looking inthe direction of arrow 1), same figure, the broken lines showing the cover partially open; and Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the body of: the case before the covering has been applied thereto and the flap attached. Fig. 7 is a perspective end view of the case before the covering has been applied or the flap attached, showing a modified construction with the ends of the bottom and top turned in and overlapping, and a holding-lip.

In the accompanying drawings the body or main portion 1 of the case is preferably made from thin sheet metal and in one piece, which is bent or formed into the shape shown in the drawings. The bottom a of the body 1 is a plain flat surface. The back or flange b is a plain flat or straight surface integral with the bottom a and extending out at right angles therefrom. The top 0 is preferably integral with the bottom a and extends up from the front edge of the bottom a, at a little distance therefrom and is bowed or curved outwardly, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, to form with the bottom a a pocket or cavity to receive the spectacles or eyeglasses. The upper part of the top 0 is recessed or cutout, preferably on a curve 0, as shown in Fig. 4, to form an opening to admit of the spectacles or eyeglasses being placed in the case. The side edges of the top portion 0 of the case extend to the back of the case and overlap orbutt against the ends of the back or flange 17, thus forming a closed end. The front corners of the bottom a and top c are preferably rounded, as shown. The two ends d of the body 1 of the case are either plainor rounded and extend up from the bottom a, as shown, and are wider at the back'than at the front, making them of Wedge shape, as shown in Fig. 2. The ends d are preferably made by bending or turning over the ends of the bottom a and of the top 0 and overlapping or butting the edges against each other and securing them together by looking or otherwise. The back edges of the ends d are butted to the ends of the back b, as shown in Fig. 7, thus forming a closed end. A division-block 2 may be secured in the central portion of the case at the front, just below the ball member 3 of the catch or fastening device, secured to the top 0 of the case in the usual way.

In-connection with the body 1 of the case above described is used a flap or cover 4,made separate from the body 1 and preferably made of partially-flexible material, as leather-board or cardboard. The cover 4 is preferably made of the shape shown and is provided with a socket member 5 as a part of the catch or fastening device to engage the ball part 3 and secure the cover in its closed position to the top of the body of the case, as shown. The attached edge of the cover 4 extends along the top edge of the back I) of the body portion 1, so that the cover 4 forms a continuation of the back I), as shown by broken and full lines in Fig. 5.

In connection with the body portion 1 and cover 4 I use a covering e, of thin leather or other suitable flexible material,which extends entirely over and is secured to the outside of IOC the body 1 and also extends in an integral piece over the outside of the cover 4, as shown by section-lines marked 6 in Figs. 3 and 5. A separate piece of flexible material or lining f extends upon the inside of the cover and also upon the inside of the back b and upon the inside of the back part of the body portion 1, as shown by section-lines f, Figs. 3 and 5. The outside covering 6 and the inside liningf connect the cover 4 to the top edge of the back I) and form a joint or hinge between the body 1 and the cover 4 for the entire length of the back b and cover 4. A lining of plush or other suitable material g may be used upon the inside of the bottom a, extending over the lining f at the back part of the bottom a, as shown by section-lines in Figs. 3 and 5.

The advantages of my spectacle or eyeglass case will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. The main or body portion of the case has a plain flat bottom, a plain flat back, and plain or rounded ends, and a curved or bowed top, all preferably made integral and preferably from sheet metal and forming a receptacle to receive the spectacles or eyeglasses and prevent them from accidentally dropping out of the case.

In connection with the body portion of the case a flap or cover is used, attached at one edge for its full length along the. projecting edge of the back of the case by the outside covering of the case and cover and the inside lining of the cover to form a hinge-joint, with the cover forming an extension of the back of the case from the top edge thereof, said back extending at right angles to the bottom of the case.

I am aware that it is not broadly new to make a spectacle or eyeglass case of the class above described with a back portion which projects at right angles to the bottom of the case, as such a construction is shown in United States Letters Patent No. 677,783, of

July 2, 1901, and I therefore do not broadly claim this construction.

It will be understood that the details of construction of my spectacle or eyeglass case may be varied, if desired. The shape may be changed and different devices for securing the flap or cover in a closed position may be used. Instead of making the body portion of the case integral, as above described, the top part c or the ends at or the back I) may be made separate and secured to the bottom a and the other parts, if preferred.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a spectacle or eyeglass case com prising a bottom piece and a top or front piece forming with the bottom piece a pocket, a flange projecting from the edge of the bottom piece 0pposite the mouth of said pocket to form in conjunction with said bottom piece a holdingreceptacle for the eyeglasses, and a lid for the eyeglass-case hinged to the projecting edge of said flange, and a covering for said case and lid.

2. As an improved article of manufacture,

a case for spectacles or eyeglasses comprising a body portion having a plain flat bottom, a straight back or flange projecting from said bottom, ends extending'up from said bottom, and a bowed or curved front forming with the bottom and the flange a receptacle for eyeglasses, and a lid extending along and hinged to the top edge of the back of flange for its full length, an outside covering and an inside lining for thecase and lid, substantially as described.

CHANNING M. WELLS.

\Vitnesses:

J. O. WELLs, F. G. BLANCHARD. 

